Goodnight, sweet prince

Free Malaysia Today

2 days ago

From Kee Thuan Chye
I woke up to the news that my dear friend and former collaborator in theatre Mano Maniam has died. I feel a deep sense of loss. What do people mean when they say something like that?
In my case, it is a loss of someone who makes me feel that all is well with the world when I'm with them, someone whose positive qi (氣) comforts me, and whose knowledge and wisdom teach me things I did not know.
Mano was such a person. He was one of the best people I knew, and by that I don't mean just as an actor but as a person. He was a prince among men, and by 'prince' I'm using the positive metaphorical connotation of the word.
He was good-natured, jovial, well-spoken, accommodating. He took criticism graciously. I was shamefully brazen when I bluntly said one or two things to him during rehearsal when I directed him in one or two of the plays we worked together on, but he never got defensive or retaliatory. He would take it on board and think about it. He was nothing if not a thinking man.
I cherish the many delightful moments we shared working together.
Mano was a consummate actor. And an actor's actor as well. He was generous in giving to his colleagues on stage, never attempting to outshine them. He played the role as it should be played, and helped others to do the same with theirs.
For all his thespic achievements and successes, however, he never flaunted them. He was ever humble. Despite his stature and reputation, he had no reservations about taking on small roles if asked. He might reminisce about some of his past acting roles but never to boast about them.
Mano was a man who experienced many things in life – good as well as saddening. He saw poverty up close in many of the places he visited, and was eloquent and compassionate about it when we spoke.
Goodnight, sweet prince. Revel in the sleep that knits up the ravelled sleeve of care. You will still be with us. Always.
Kee Thuan Chye is a writer, playwright, actor and an FMT reader. This tribute to Mano Maniam is an extract from a Facebook post.
The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.